In Genesis 18 Abraham discovered his intercessory role. Here in Genesis 20 he is again called on to intercede, this time for Abimelech the king of Gerar. The scenario is, significantly, similar to the situation with Pharaoh in Genesis 12:10-20. Abraham again makes out that Sarah is his sister and again she is taken from him, this time by Abimelech, who is then given a death sentence by God for taking this married woman for himself. Again, the unconditional covenant (12:3) comes into effect despite Abraham’s flaws. Abimelech responds with a plea that is significantly similar to that of Abraham in Genesis 18:23. He says: “Lord, will you destroy an innocent nation? Did he not say to me, ‘She is my sister’”? (20:4). The author of Genesis wants us to see something here. The repeated scenario serves to highlight what is different this time. Previously, Pharaoh and his household suffered for what they did but now God concedes to Abimelech’s plea, and he lifts the curse. But how is the curse lifted? God says to Abimelech, “Now return the man’s wife, for he is a prophet, and he will pray for you and you will live” (20:7). In other words, God is willing to lift the curse from the one who took Abraham’s wife, but he will only do this through Abraham’s act of intercession. God wants to bless people and lift curses from their lives. But he will always do this through the intercession of his anointed priests. That’s you and me. Through Christ we have been anointed by God’s Spirit to be priests, mediators of blessing, to the world (2 Peter 2:5).
Intercede for those who need your prayers.
Read Genesis 20
